U.S. Soccer Hosts Six National Coaching Schools in January

Jan 15, 2004

RESOURCE CENTER - January 15, 2003

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This month, a U.S. Soccer's Coaching Education Department recaps six National Coaching Schools held across the country to kick of the New Year:

U.S. SOCCER HOSTS SIX NATIONAL COACHING SCHOOLS AT THREE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE U.S. IN EARLY JANUARY

More Than 400 Candidates Learn from 18 U.S. Soccer Coaches

CHICAGO (Thursday, January 15, 2004) – U.S. Soccer hosted six National Coaching Schools earlier this month in California, Nevada and Florida for coaches looking to earn one of the top licenses in the country.

More than 435 coaching candidates attended the nine-day courses for A, B and C licenses. The Florida school was held at the University of Tampa and the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla., the Nevada school was held at University of Nevada at Las Vegas and the California school was held for the first time ever at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center in Carson, Calif. The courses involve both classroom and fieldwork and concluded with examinations.

“We are excited that these schools continue to grow and attract more coaches,” said U.S. Director of Youth Development and Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach John Ellinger. “We work hard to keep the curriculum current and to stay up to date with the game as it continually evolves. We are also thrilled with the success of the A license audit course which allows coaches to renew their A license.”

The official FIFA Licensor, U.S. Soccer’s National Coaching Schools are taught by U.S. Soccer’s National Staff Coaches and members of U.S. Soccer’s Instructional Staff. This year, eighteen of U.S. Soccer’s coaches – from U.S. Men’s Manager Bruce Arena to Women’s National Team assistant Phil Weddon - also participated in the schools to share their vast experience with the candidates.

Fast Facts about the January 2004 Winter Schools

10,000 Meals Served

1,700 Hotel Room Nights

435 Coaching Candidates

260 Field Lecture Hours

115 Classroom Lecture Hours

17 U.S. Soccer Coaches

6 National Coaching Schools

4 Different Continents Represented

3 Different Universities used plus the National Training Center

3 Different States

U.S. Soccer Coaches participating in the Winter Coaching Schools

Bob Jenkins – Men’s National Coach – Region I

Roberto Lopez - Men’s National Coach – Region II

Juan Carlos Michia - Men’s National Coach – Region III

Mike Haas - Men’s National Coach – Region IV

Jeff Pill – Women’s National Staff Coach – Region I

Stephanie Gabbert – Women’s National Staff Coach – Region II

Dave Simeone - Women’s National Staff Coach – Region III

Greg Ryan - Women’s National Staff Coach – Region IV

Bruce Arena – Men’s National Team Head Coach & Technical Director

Glenn Myernick – Men’s Assistant National Team Coach

Pierre Barrieu – Men’s National Team Fitness Coach

Thomas Rongen – U-20 Men’s National Team Head Coach

John Ellinger – Men’s U-17 National Team Coach & Director of Youth Development

John Hackworth – Under-17 Men’s National Team Assistant Coach

Keith Fulk – Under-17 Men’s National Team Coach Assistant

Peter Mellor – National GK Coach & Staff Coach

Manny Schellscheidt – U-14 Boy’s National Team Coach

Phil Weddon – Women’s National Team Assistant Coach

U.S. Soccer, as official coaching licensor, provides the curriculum at all levels and operates coaching schools at the top three levels as well as the Youth Instructor Level.

The next U.S. Soccer Coaching School will be for the A and B license and will be held at U.S. Soccer’s National Training Center in Carson, Calif. from March 27 – April 4, 2004. Information and an application for the next school will be posted later this month at ussoccer.com in the Coaches section, or e-mail coaches@ussoccer.org.

The following is an overview of the coaching education programs and the curriculum for each level that offered:

"A" License CourseLength: 9 daysCurriculum Emphasis:* Development and understanding of team play and specific tactical concepts applied to a game plan, i.e., low pressure defending, counter-attack, pressing, etc.* Ability to construct an appropriate training session and coach within an 11v11 format* Understanding of team-related issues, i.e., player management, match analysis, etc.

"B" License CourseLength: 9 daysCurriculum Emphasis:* The development of training that provides greater meaning to positional play within the team structure, i.e., functional training* Improved understanding of the roles of players and their responsibilities within the game* Development of collective play within the various lines of play, i.e., back line, midfield line or forward line, as applied to tactics and concepts of play

"C" License CourseLength: 9 daysLicense held for a minimum of 12 monthsCurriculum Emphasis:* The emphasis of the course will continue to be on the development of individual skill taught within individual and small group activities and games (4v4 to 7v7).* The understanding and development of tactics through 4v4 to 9v9 games* The ability to observe mistakes and make appropriate correction

For more information on U.S. Soccer Coaching Schools, contact the U.S. Soccer Coaching Department at 312-528-1219 or coaches@ussoccer.org.